Listen to Insight

APRIL 8, 2019

LEADERSHIP, VISION & PROVISION

Today we will consider the 9^th principle out of the twelve (12), which every transformational leader needs in order to fulfil their vision namely, “Employ the Provision of Vision”. But this is based on the following prior principles which we have discussed in preceding weeks:

1. 1. Be Directed by a Clear Vision
   2. Know Your Potential for Fulfilling Vision
   3. Develop a Concrete Plan for Your Vision
   4. Possess the Passion of Vision
   5. Develop the Faith of Vision
   6. Understand the Process of Vision
   7. Set the Priorities of Vision
   8. Recognize People's Influence on Vision

WHATEVER GOD PURPOSES, HE PROVIDES FOR

Every one of us has a God given purpose and for each purpose, God has provided. The testimony of scripture is that God NEVER sends anyone on any assignment or mission without making provision for the assignment.  However, people are very physical oriented and focused on this world such that when taking account of resources required to fulfill a vision, they only focus on what they can see physically. When it is not enough, some give up on their dreams. A transformational Christian leader must be able to see beyond the physical into the unseen realm and take stock of the provision that is not visible.

PROVISION BEFOREHAND

Sometimes when people dream BIG and do not see physical provision available to accomplish it, they downsize the vision or forget it altogether.

The etymology of the word provision is from the late 14^th century and refers to “a providing beforehand, action of arranging in advance” (originally in reference to ecclesiastical appointments made before the position was vacant), from Old French provision "precaution, care" (early 14c.), from Latin provisionem (nominative provisio) "a foreseeing, foresight, preparation, prevention," noun of action from past participle stem of providere "look ahead" (see provide). Meaning "something provided" is attested from late 15c.; specific sense of "supply of food" is from c. 1600.[1]

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines provision thus:

1. 1. The act of providing or making previous preparation.
   2. Things provided; preparation; measures taken beforehand, either for security, defense or attack, or for the supply of wants.

When God sent the children of Israel into the wilderness, he had already made sure that there was sufficient manna, quail, water etc. for them.  When he asked Abraham to take his only son to a mountain to sacrifice him, God had already made sure there was a ram on that mountain.

GOD”S PROVISION

2 Peter 1:3 (KJV)  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

If your vision is God’s given, he has already provided for it—even if you cannot perceive the provision physically. God has already GIVEN unto us ALL THINGS that we need for life. Much of these are in the unseen realm.

Romans 1:20 (KJV)  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

This verse says invisible things can be seen. Here is another verse:

2 Corinthians 4:18 (KJV)  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Faith sees the things which are not seen and it is able to apprehend those resources and make use of them in the physical.

Vision and Pro-Vision go together. If God is the originator of a vision, he will make sure the requisite resources are available. Do not reduce the size of your dream because you are afraid you do not have sufficient resources. Dream BIG!

Psalm 81:10 ... Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has [already] blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

The following passage shows beyond a shadow of a doubt that God provides and He does not want us to worry about provision. He even provides for birds like sparrows and so how much more us? But he counsels us on how to access the “all things” that he had already given us. The how is to “seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides”.

Matthew 6:25-34 (AMPC)

25  Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing?

26  Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?

27  And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life? [Psa 39:5-7]

28  And why should you be anxious about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field and learn thoroughly how they grow; they neither toil nor spin.

29  Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his magnificence (excellence, dignity, and grace) was not arrayed like one of these. [1Ki 10:4-7]

30  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith?

31  Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear?

32  For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all.

33  But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

34  So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.